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A Digital Boost for Businesses
19th February 2018
Programme of digital training events launched as part of Scottish Tourism Month
BUSINESSES in the Scottish Borders and Lothians are being urged to boost their digital skills as part of Scottish Tourism Month.
A month-long programme of digital training events has been launched for businesses in the Scottish Borders, Midlothian and East Lothian.
VisitScotland is working in partnership with Digital Tourism Scotland, Business Gateway, the Midlothian & Borders Tourism Action Group, Midlothian Tourism Forum, and the Scottish Borders Tourism Partnership to encourage businesses to take advantage of the digital training on offer.
The programme of events will run at venues throughout March and will include digital courses for all levels of digital skills, from getting started on Twitter and Hootsuite to Cyber Security Essentials.
VisitScotland Regional Director Paula Ward said: “We are delighted to be working together to provide tourism businesses in the Scottish Borders and Lothians with face-to-face advice and learning that is tailored for all levels of digital skills.
“Digital information and the widespread use of mobile devices have transformed the way visitors source information and make bookings, both pre- and on arrival. The first thing visitors do when they arrive in Scotland is switch on their mobile phone.
“By encouraging businesses to use more digital tools effectively, businesses can strengthen connections with potential and existing visitors and achieve efficiencies and greater productivity.
“I would encourage businesses to take up these opportunities during Scottish Tourism Month and take an important step to helping navigate the ever-changing digital landscape. Scotland’s reputation as a quality destination relies on continued investment and innovation to ensure that current provision meets future demand.”
Fergus Watson, Business Tourism Advisor for MBTAG said: “The courses on offer by our various partners in the Scottish Borders and Lothians during Scottish Tourism Month cover a wide variety of different disciplines and skillsets. They offer the ideal opportunity for all businesses to learn more about digital marketing and technology.
“We want to support businesses to remain competitive in the fast moving tourism industry and by using digital technology to become more creative and innovative, businesses will be better placed to adapt to new trends and remain ahead of the game.
The programme kicks off in Hawick on 6th March with a Digital Briefing workshop on the future of digital in tourism and online booking. Further events will take place in Musselburgh, Galashiels and Loanhead throughout the month of March. For more information and to book a place, visit: www.visitscotland.org/digital-skills-month-2018.aspx
Digital Tourism Scotland – a partnership between VisitScotland, Business Gateway, Scottish Government, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Scottish Enterprise, Scottish Tourism Alliance and Skills Development Scotland, offers further information on digital tourism training and marketing. Visit: www.digitaltourismscotland.co.uk
MBTAG involves Midlothian Council, Scottish Borders Council, Midlothian Tourism Forum, Scottish Borders Tourism Partnership, Scotrail and VisitScotland, and is funded by Scottish Enterprise’s Destination Development Fund and the Borders railway Blueprint fund, delivering a total investment of £350,000 in collaborative activity.
For more information on Scottish Tourism Month, visit: http://scottishtourismmonth.scot/